Trump Issues Executive Order on Forest Management

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) An executive order on forest management issued by President Trump in late December addresses how rural economies can benefit through the utilization of byproducts created by forest restoration efforts.

Trump issued the executive order on Dec. 21. It is officially titled “Promoting Active Management of America’s Forests, Rangelands and other Federal Lands to Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk.”

The executive order states that it is the policy of the United States to protect people, communities, and to promote healthy resilient forests, rangelands and other federal lands by actively managing them through partnerships with states, tribes, communities, non-profit organizations and the private sector. However, dense trees and undergrowth have amassed in these lands for decades, fueling catastrophic wildfires. “These conditions, along with insect infestation, invasive species, disease, and drought, have weakened our forests, rangelands, and other federal lands, and have placed communities and homes at risk of damage from catastrophic wildfires,” said Trump in the executive order.

While active management of vegetation is needed on federal lands, the executive order explains it is often delayed due to challenges associated with regulatory analysis and current consultation requirements. To help overcome these challenges, the executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture implement shared management priorities and to coordinate federal, state, tribal and local assets.

The executive order states that post-fire assessments show that reducing vegetation through hazardous fuel management and strategic forest health treatments is effective in reducing wildfire severity and loss. “Actions must be taken across landscapes to prioritize treatments in order to enhance fuel reduction and forest-restoration projects that protect life and property, and to benefit rural economies through encouraging utilization of the by-products of forest restoration,” said Trump in the executive order.

…

This includes considering market conditions when preparing timber sales, including biomass and biochar opportunities, and encouraging export of these forest-treatment products to the maximum extent permitted by law. The secretaries are also asked to develop recommended actions and incentives to expand uses, markets, and utilization of forest products resulting from restoration and fuel reduction projects, including biomass and small-diameter materials.

The Forest Service has spoken out in support of the executive order. READ MORE